GHNS Illinois Budget (2/27/08)

Wednesday

Feb 27, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2008 at 5:42 AM

GHNS Illinois Budget (2/27/08)

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service.
Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check
www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the
evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to
share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

COLE HALL: Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Wednesday that the state can come up with the money to pay for the demolition of the lecture hall on the campus of Northern Illinois University where five students were killed in a Feb. 14 shooting. He also said the state can pay for a new lecture hall. By Sadie Gurman of the Rockford Register Star. Will be posted this evening.

FAIRGROUNDS FOLLIES: The state held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to address the ongoing electrical problems at the state fairgrounds. By Doug Finke of the Statehouse bureau. Will be posted this evening.

With:

-- SHUTDOWN IMPACT: What is the economic impact of events being cancelled and relocated due to the ongoing problems? By Tim Landis of the State Journal-Register. Will be posted this evening.

-- OTHER VENUES: Some venues are getting unexpected business as event organizers scramble to find locations for events affected by the problems at the fairgrounds. By Tim Landis of the State Journal-Register. Will be posted this evening.

-- STATE FAIR: How the two-month shutdown is affecting preparations for the state fair. By Doug Finke of the Statehouse bureau. Will be posted this evening.

A VISIT FROM UNO: Uno, the first beagle to ever win best in show at the Westminster Dog Show, visits a big fan Wednesday: a 91-year-old Peoria woman whose nurse, a dog breeder herself, helped set up the visit. By Terry Bibo of the Peoria Journal Star. Will be posted this evening.

GUN CONTROL: A House committee approves two gun-control measures, but both have passed committee in the past and then stalled later in the process, meaning that the fate of these is uncertain. One bill would limit handgun purchases to one a month, and the other would ban so-called "assault weapons." By Adriana Colindres of the Statehouse bureau. Will be posted this evening.

IHSA PHOTO FLAP: A Senate committee is expected to consider legislation that would prevent the Illinois High School Association from regulating how news organizations use photos and videos of sporting events. By Adriana Colindres of the Statehouse bureau. Will be posted this evening.

ROCKFORD - Before this month, Kristine Gore had never heard of the Cash Dash program. Now she stands to reclaim more than $5,000 in assets she forgot about years ago. By Sarah Roberts of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x2052201676

NIU wins exemption for proton-therapy center

Northern Illinois University’s plan to build a facility for proton therapy, the cutting edge in radiation treatment of cancer, has been approved by the state panel that oversees health care facilities. By Aaron Chambers of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1300270529

Deadly home invasion now a murder case

ROCKFORD – Two women who police say forced their way into an east-side apartment Friday have been charged with murder in the death of their accomplice — even though they didn’t kill her. By Corina Curry and Sadie Gurman of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x288022944

Gov declares 8 counties disaster areas in Rock River Valley area

The Rock River Valley and surrounding counties are state disaster areas because of heavy snowfall in early February, Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared Tuesday. By Aaron Chambers of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1637674743

PEORIA, Ariz. - Michael Barrett misses the Cubs and pines to catch on with them again someday. Yes, even if Carlos Zambrano is still wearing Cubbie Blue. "I felt fortunate every day I put on that uniform," said Barrett, who was traded to San Diego last June 20 - only 19 days after the headstrong catcher famously brawled with baseball's most mercurial pitcher. Will be posted this afternoon.

BEARS: Orton eyes long stay in Chicago

Last season, the Chicago Bears’ quarterback job was Rex Grossman’s to lose. Which he eventually did. Kyle Orton, in his third season, was given the nod for the final three games. In part because of the way he finished up, he has been given something else – another year on his contract. By Reed Schreck of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x774169061

KIRK WESSLER: Weariness takes its toll on and off court for Braves

PEORIA, Ill. - Fatigue. I can't think of a better word to describe the state of Bradley Braves basketball right now. It covers everyone with a stake in the program: the players and coaches, the administration, the institution and, yes, the fans. No matter who you are, no matter what you think of the events that have unfolded since early Saturday morning, if you care at all for BU, you are worn out.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x1300270167

FOR THE WEEKEND:

WE ASK, LINCOLN ANSWERS: A Q&A with Honest Abe

In preparation for celebration of the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates, the Freeport Journal-Standard sits down with the Railsplitter for a Q&A. (Okay, it’s actually Freeport resident George Buss, who will be playing Lincoln at all of the debate celebrations this year. But it’s as close as anyone’s going to get.) By Ryan Blackburn of the Freeport Journal-Standard.

DRAWING FROM THE PAST: Man honors late wife with drawings of houses

Kevin Kupper founded his business, Architectural Images, thanks to encouragement from his wife, Holly, nearly two decades ago. More than three years after her death, Kupper carries on with pen-and-ink drawings in his wife's memory. By Ryan Ori of the Peoria Journal Star. Will be posted Friday for use in weekend editions.

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